TJ Stables near Toronto takes visitors close to a rare breed of animals known as the Ojibwe spirit horses.

The picturesque 50-acre farm in Chatham-Kent offers public trail riding in both Western and English styles and pony rides for kids, but more recently they are known for Ojibwe spirit horses. 

Terry Jenkins, TJ Stables owner, purchased the horses from a breeder in Fort Frances.

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"When I walked out into that 160-acre field with wild horses that had never been handled, I stood there and they surrounded me," Jenkins told Chatham Daily News, shortly after obtaining the horses in 2019.

"A powerful flush came over me. . . . I had this overwhelming feeling of love, as though you’re holding your first child in your arms."

Visitors to TJ Stables can join an overnight adventure in a Tipi, meet the spirit horses and tour the farm. 

The Ojibwe spirit horse is thought to be the only existing breed of horse developed by Indigenous people in Canada.

This breed is rare. There are fewer than 200 Ojibway horses left, and according to TJ Stables, those numbers are dwindling due to several breeders retiring.

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We made a stop at TJ Stables this week. My wife was in tears. This place is magical. It's also been hurt financially by Covid-19 If you are looking for things to do with your kids, you can do a family farm tour with pony rides, petting farm, collect eggs & the Ojibway Spirit horses have 2 new babies. These horses ancestors were the same ones that used to run wild, swim across from our house on the Snye decades ago. #ckont #tjstables

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The horse breed nearly disappeared completely in 1977 but the last four ponies were rescued in Lac La Croix, Ontario, according to the Ojibwe Horse Society.

The Ojibwe Horses were in North America before European contact — DNA evidence shows they are different from European-introduced horse breeds.

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TJ Stables offers a venue for special events such as birthdays or corporate picnics.

They are open year-round but visitors must reserve the overnight adventure  or book a trail ride in advance.